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Kylian Mbappe says Real Madrid played "very badly" against Liverpool and then Rayo Vallecano before the international break, with the French superstar far from mincing his words.
Speaking after he starred in a 4-0 victory for France over Ukraine, in which Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike came off the bench to score, Mbappe was blunt with his response when asked about Los Blancos' poor form.
They have started well this season under Xabi Alonso, but there are already reports of tension in the Real Madrid locker room. Vinicius Jr. has publicly shown dissent towards the manager, who made the step from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
"What do you want me to say? I have nothing to say," Mbappe told reporters when he was quizzed on Real Madrid. "When you don't win games at Real Madrid, people talk a lot.
"We haven't won the last two. We've played very badly, but we'll come back after the break ready to beat Elche.
"In the end, we're first in La Liga and among the top eight in the Champions League. It's not perfect, but we all know that when things aren't working on the pitch, people talk and talk. But we're united to win every title this year."
A goal from Alexis Mac Allister settled the Champions League clash at Anfield, with Liverpool playing much better in that game, before another slump in performance against Manchester City.
"It was a demanding game, really fast-paced," Alonso said in his post-match press conference.
"We competed well, but we lacked a real threat. The first half was fairly evenly matched, and the second was decided by small margins.
"We started giving away too many free-kicks and the odd corner. Thibaut Courtois kept us in it there. The goal gave them the edge, and then we struggled a bit after that.
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"I can't ask for any more from my team. We tried our best. It's the opening phase of the Champions League.
"We'll have the chance to recover those points, and we have to think about what's coming up."
Liverpool.com says: Real Madrid didn't play well but that was in part down to the Reds doing their bit. While they looked jaded at the Etihad Stadium, midweek, they were right on it in terms of pressing and energy levels.
When they return to a much easier fixture list, at least on paper, the aim has to be going on a run. Getting back to something closer to the intensity of the victory over Real Madrid will ensure that happens.
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